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Seven & i to double online shopping items in 5 yrs: president

(Japan Economic Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) TOKYO, Jan. 24 -- (Kyodo) _ Seven & i Holdings Co. plans to double the number of items available on its online shop to around 3 million in about five years, its president said in a recent interview with Kyodo News.

With investment of around 100 billion yen, customers will be able to buy almost all the goods sold by around 20 Seven & i group companies on a single website, President Noritoshi Murata said.

"We would like to provide customers with convenient shopping by merging real shops and the Internet," said Murata. Goods ordered online would be collected at group outlets, he said.

Murata also said Seven & i will seek cooperation from companies outside the group to improve the brand strength and product lineup of its expanded online shop.

"We are ready to tie up with firms hoping to join," he said.

As for online retailer Nissen Holdings Co., which will become a consolidated subsidiary of Seven & i at the end of the month through a takeover bid, Murata said, "There are many things we should learn from Nissen, including how to make catalogues."
He also showed readiness to jointly develop goods with Nissen and sell its items at Ito-Yokado supermarkets.